Befriending Adults with disabilities or mental health conditions

This project is an invaluable opportunity for volunteers to gain community experience within health and social care by volunteering with adults with learning/physical disabilities and/or mental health conditions.  The volunteering is done virtually and/or in a community setting (outside). The role of the volunteer is to befriend adults with disabilities and/or mental health conditions. 

The project supports adults with disabilities through befriending. This could be a socially distanced walk, socially distanced garden visit, regular phone call or video-call, or perhaps undertaking regular activities on-line together like watching a film together, or perhaps being matched to a pen-pal. Volunteers could also take a blended approach and befriend in person and virtually!

Volunteers will be asked to undertake weekly catch ups with their beneficiary.

The aim of this project is to offer social and emotional enrichment to beneficiaries through a range of stimulating activities. In addition, volunteers will provide compassionate support and amity and help relieve feelings of boredom, loneliness and isolation. Through engagement, the beneficiaries will develop their social skills, gain confidence and achieve personal goals. This project is invaluable to beneficiaries as befriending improves perceptions of well-being, reduces stress and increases self-esteem and empowerment. Seeing the progress beneficiaries make is always a very rewarding experience for volunteers!

Time commitment: A suggested time commitment is 1 hour per week, flexible.
Expenses reimbursed: Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.
Training provided: Full training is provided.
Selection procedures: An informal discussion, application form completion, 2 references and a disclosure and barring check (cost met by organisation).
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact us using the form below.